15 August 2016

Dunne Unhappy at Prospect Kenepuru’s Overnight Emergency Service May Close

Ohariu MP Peter Dunne says he is “extremely unhappy” at reports Kenepuru Hospital’s overnight emergency service may be closed.

Mr Dunne says that for the bulk of his constituents in the northern suburbs Kenepuru Hospital is actually closer than Wellington Hospital, and he is concerned many local people would be adversely affected by the proposed overnight closure.

“I do not think the District Health Board appreciates sufficiently that Kenepuru Hospital is the closest hospital not only for Kapiti Coast and Porirua Basin residents, but also for the majority of people living north of Khandallah.

“I appreciate the Board’s comments that this is only a proposal at this stage, but proposals like this have a habit of becoming a reality, which would be bad for my constituents, and I am sure the Board will get this clear message when it consults them,” he says.

Mr Dunne says he appreciates the long-term staffing difficulties Kenepuru Hospital has faced and acknowledges the board’s work in trying to resolve the issue.

“But all that will be little consolation to people who risk turning up at the emergency service, only to find it closed.

“Local people have more than a little tired at the frequent rumours Kenepuru is on the brink of some form of closure, which hardly helps their confidence in the service provided.

“I urge the Board to sit down with local communities and explore innovative solutions to staffing Kenepuru’s emergency service effectively, rather risk the closure of the service,” he says.

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